vampires

As explained in my list last year, very few “traditional” horror films tend to impress me. If you are like me and find the big horror franchises a bit lackluster, hopefully you will enjoy one of the selections below. If not, perhaps last year’s offerings might be more appealing.

Creep (2014)

Independent found footage film Creep really got under my skin when I watched it. It follows a videographer Aaron (Patrick Brice) who answers the Craigslist ad of Josef (Mark Duplass) who wishes to record his day to day life. The two characters spend all their time together isolated up in a cabin in the mountains and it is all quite innocent. However, every so often Josef will do or say something so odd that will make you feel something that I can only describe through that meme of Chrissy Teigen’s face. With Creep 2 on the way soon it is definitely a film worth checking out.

Get Out (2017)

I was always very interested in seeing Get Out as it had an interesting premise to build on. It begins with photographer Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) gearing up to meet his girlfriend’s parents. He brings up the fact that Rose (his girlfriend) never told her white, suburban family that he is black. Rose (Allison Williams) eventually reassures him that “My dad totally would have voted for Obama for a third term if he could have.” It is little things like that which are dotted around the script of the film that all click into place once the horror is revealed. Honourable mention goes to Chris’ best friend Rod (Lil Rel Howery) for providing some much needed comedic relief when the film is at its tensest. The trailer below shows a lot of the film so I would recommend avoiding it or at least watching it until the 1.30 mark.

What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

If you have always craved a mockumentary about vampires from New Zealand then you are in luck. Created by and starring man of the moment Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement (you may know him from Flight of the Conchords), What We Do In The Shadows documents the night to night lives of Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, and Petyr. You watch as the centuries old vampires navigate their way through 21st century life, even getting the addition of a 21st century vampire to their flat. The film documents everything from the vampires’ views on doing the dishes, their feud with the local Wellington werewolves and also their foray into modern technology. It is one of those comedy films that is endlessly quotable and you can sense that all actors involved genuinely had a great time making it.